Council considers $50,000 settlement in Wasserman case amid public objections

The Long Beach City Council considered a resolution authorizing settlement of litigation brought by Michael S. Wasserman (case filed in May 2021) for $50,000. A council member moved to amend the resolution to add a whereas clause saying payment for the settlement would be made in fiscal year 2027 and that sufficient budget would be established to cover it.

Council attorneys advised the body that the matter involves active federal litigation and that specifics could not be discussed in detail at the public meeting. Corporation counsel Greg Kalmitsky said the suggested settlement figure is below a number discussed during a settlement conference before the federal judge assigned to the case and recommended the settlement to the council.

Public commenters expressed strong disagreement with settling. Eileen Hession said she opposed paying the plaintiff and criticized the judgment: "I vote against it though because I do not wanna give that man 1¢ of my money," she said. Other residents described the plaintiff's on-site signs and asked why the city was paying legal fees and a settlement for conduct they found offensive.

Council and staff replied that legal fees in connection with the case were "below $10,000," and that the plaintiff had sought far larger amounts in earlier filings. Staff also noted that settlement negotiations had taken place and that the city must follow legal advice about resolving the case.

Because the litigation remains active, counsel limited public discussion of the merits and advised that additional specifics would be provided in executive session or after the litigation is resolved. The council ultimately included the item in a block vote with other routine items.